Variety of calla lily named &#39;Swan Lake&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘Swan Lake’ is a new variety of calla lily having beautiful white flowers and strong branching.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

[0001]Zantedeschia sprengeri

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

[0002] ‘Swan Lake’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

[0003] The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofcalla lily, botanically known as Zantedeschia sprengeri and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘Swan Lake’.

[0004] ‘Swan Lake’ was discovered in 1996 and chosen from a selection ofseedling tubers of unknown parentage in Maungaturoto, New Zealand. Thefirst act of asexual reproduction of ‘Swan Lake’ by tissue culture wasperformed in 1997 in Auckland, New Zealand. Subsequent asexualreproductions by tissue culture have demonstrated that the combinationof characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are retainedthrough successive generations of asexual reproduction and reproducestrue to type.

[0005] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and determinedto be basic characteristics of ‘Swan Lake’ which, in combination,distinguish this calla lily as a new and distinct cultivar:

[0006] 1. ‘Swan Lake’ has fewer leaf maculations than ‘Black EyedBeauty’ (unpatented), ‘Albomaculata’ (unpatented), ‘Starlight’(unpatented), and ‘Chromatella’ (unpatented);

[0007] 2. ‘Swan Lake’ is taller than ‘Innocence’ (unpatented);

[0008] 3. ‘Swan Lake’ has a longer spathe of smaller diameter than‘Starlight’ and ‘Chromatella’; and

[0009] 4. ‘Swan Lake’ has a distinctive purple-brown coloring overlaynear the tip of the outside of the spathe as the spathe becomes olderand the seed pod develops.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the newvariety, with the colors being as nearly true as is possible with colorillustrations of this type.

[0011]FIG. 1 is a close-up photograph of a a flower of the new variety;and

[0012]FIG. 2 illustrates a field of flowers of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

[0013] The following observations, measurements, and comparisonsdescribe plants grown in New Zealand under conditions which approximatethose generally used in horticulture practice. The field grown plantswere 16 weeks into their third growing cycle when described. Colorreferences are made to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London, except where general color terms ofordinary significance are used.

THE PLANT

[0014] Size:

[0015]Height of the leaf canopy above the soil.—500-900 mm; Average of600 mm.

[0016]Height of top of flowers above the soil.—500-1000 mm; Average of700 mm.

[0017]Diameter.—200-600 mm; Average of 500 mm.

[0018]Form.—Erect.

[0019] Number of flowers per tuber size:

[0020]Diameter of 3-4 cm.—2-4 flowers.

[0021]Diameter of 4-5 cm.—4-6 flowers.

[0022]Diameter of 5 or more cm.—4-10 flowers.

[0023] Leaves:

[0024]Size.—Width: 100-180 mm; Average of 130 mm. Length: 200-400 mm;Average of 300 mm.

[0025]Shape.—Deltoid.

[0026]Apex.—Slightly rounded at the point of the apex.

[0027]Base.—Rounded at the comers and smooth, but slightly ruffled alongthe base.

[0028]Margin.—Smooth, but slightly ruffled with a color of 150A.

[0029]Number per plant.—6-15.

[0030]Color.—Upper surface: 147A, streaked with 144A. Lower surface:146A, streaked with 144A.

[0031]Spotting or mottling.—Description: 10-70 maculations per leaf,ranging from 1 mm dots to 1 mm×8 mm long lines that follow the directionof the leaf venation. Appearance: Transparent, like a small window inthe leaf. The mottling is caused by a small break in the greenchlorophyll. There is no color.

[0032]Veins.—Configuration: Pinnate. Color: 144A.

[0033]Surface quality.—Leathery.

[0034] Petiole (branch):

[0035]Length.—200-650 mm; Average of 450 mm.

[0036]Diameter.—8-15 mm.

[0037]Color.—144D with striations of 177A at the base of the petiole,changing to 144A up the length of the petiole.

[0038]Character.—Strong.

[0039]Number 3-6 per plant.

[0040] Roots:

[0041]Color.—White.

[0042]Branching.—Moderate.

THE FLOWER

[0043] Spathe:

[0044]Size.—Length: 70-130 mm; Average of 90 mm. Width: 40-80 mm;Average of 70 mm.

[0045]Color.—Inner surface: 150D. Outer surface: Base of spathe is 144C,changing to 150D. As the spathe ages and the seed pod ripens, the spatheturns a combination of 144A and 144B, with an overlay of 177A near thetip of the spathe.

[0046]Veins.—Appearance: Transparent. The veins are a break in thepigmentation of the flower. Configuration: Parallel.

[0047]Shape.—Overall: Cupped and ruffled. Tip: Pointed. Base:Cylindrical and widening distally.

[0048] Spadix:

[0049]Size.—Length: 35-65 mm. Diameter: 5-12 mm.

[0050]Color.—12A.

[0051]Mature and immature reproductive organ color.—Male: 12A. Female:150C.

[0052]Position relative to spathe.—Upright.

[0053] Peduncle:

[0054]Size.—Length: 300-900 mm; Average of 500 mm. Diameter: 8-15 mm.

[0055]Color.—144D with 177A striations at the base of the peduncle,changing to 144A striations through the rest of the peduncle.

[0056] Reproductive organs:

[0057]Location of female organs.—Basal position of the spadix (lower35%).

[0058]Location of male organs.—Upper position of the spadix (upper 65%).

[0059]Stamens.—Not visible before pollen release.

[0060]Pistil.—Average number: 30. Length beyond perianth: 0.5 mm. Shape:Dome.

[0061] Flowering: Tubers planted in New Zealand begin to produce flowers85 days after planting and continue to flower over a 20-30 day period.

[0062] Lastingness: Cut flowers last 5-14 days. On the plant stem,emergence to senescence is 19-22 weeks.

[0063] Fragrance: None.

[0064] Fruit:

[0065]Size of individual seed pod.—10-12 mm in diameter.

[0066]Appearance of seed pod.—Rounded and wrinkled.

[0067]Color of seed pod.—144A fading to 144D at the base of the seedpod.

[0068] Seeds:

[0069]Shape.—Oval and Rounded.

[0070]Length.—5-7 mm.

[0071]Diameter.—4-5 mm.

[0072]Color.—145C.

[0073] Disease resistance: High.

[0074] Pest resistance: Strongly attractive to Thrips.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of calla lily plant named ‘SwanLake’, as described and illustrated herein.